Amy Adams’ Nightbitch film: Trailer, Release date, Rachel Yoder’s Novel Adaptation, & more About the body Horror Comedy

Searchlight Pictures has unveiled the first trailer for Nightbitch, a genre-defying body horror-comedy starring Amy Adams. Adapted from Rachel Yoder’s critically acclaimed 2021 debut novel, the movie is directed by the Oscar-nominated Marielle Heller. 

Amy Adams not only stars but also produces, marking a bold step into surreal horror with her portrayal of a mother navigating dark and transformative challenges. The buzz surrounding this project suggests it could be a game-changer in Adams’s career.

With its unique blend of body horror, black comedy, and magical realism, Nightbitch has already turned heads, especially following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. 

The film is positioned as a thought-provoking exploration of identity and womanhood, promising to resonate deeply with audiences and critics alike. Its feminist undertones and boundary-pushing themes add layers of intrigue to an already captivating premise.

Curious about what makes Nightbitch one of 2024’s most anticipated films? We break down everything you need to know, from the visionary team behind the film to the intense buzz it’s generating. Stay tuned, as we’ll keep updating this guide with the latest details and insights!

Release date & Where to Watch

Nightbitch is set to hit theaters on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The film, rated R for language and some sexual content, premiered earlier at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 7, 2024. It will stream from Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, on Hulu.

*EXCLUSIVE* The official poster for Nightbitch starring Amy Adams, written and directed by Marielle Heller and based on the novel by Rachel Yoder. ✨

In theaters this fall from @searchlightpics. pic.twitter.com/zn1T5uw62q

— Letterboxd (@letterboxd) May 12, 2024

Plot

Nightbitch follows a stay-at-home mother, played by Amy Adams, whose once-thriving art career is put on hold after the birth of her child. Adjusting to life in a quiet Midwestern town with her toddler and frequently absent husband, she grapples with isolation and the relentless demands of motherhood. 

Her reality begins to shift when she notices strange physical changes, from sharpening teeth to a tuft of hair on her neck, and a growing suspicion that she’s turning into a dog.

As her primal instincts intensify, she discovers a mysterious book, A Field Guide to Magical Women: A Mythical Ethnography, which leads her to explore surreal possibilities about her transformation. Her journey takes a darker turn when she joins a mommy group with a bizarre multi-level marketing scheme, adding layers of intrigue to her quest for identity and self-empowerment.

Adapted from Rachel Yoder’s acclaimed debut novel of the same name, the film blends dark humor, psychological drama, and a surreal take on lycanthropy to explore themes of motherhood, identity, and the sacrifices women make. 

The story reclaims the original meaning of “bitch” as it examines the feral strength rooted in maternal instincts, offering a fresh perspective on the societal pressures surrounding motherhood.

Who’s in the cast of Nightbitch?

First look at Amy Adams transforming into a dog in ‘NIGHTBITCH’

The film follows a woman who is convinced that she is turning into a dog. pic.twitter.com/Pd49VdfkOr

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 3, 2024

• Amy Adams (American Hustle, Sharp Objects) as Mother
• Scoot McNairy (Argo, 12 Years a Slave, Gone Girl) as Husband
• Arleigh Snowden as Son
• Emmett Snowden as Son
• Jessica Harper (The Old Man) as Norma
• Zoë Chao (The Afterparty) as Jen
• Mary Holland (Self Reliance) as Miriam
• Archana Rajan (Grey's Anatomy) as Liz
• Nate Heller as Book Babies Leader
• Darius De La Cruz as Lemuel
• Ella Thomas (NCIS, Supergirl) as Naya
• Stacey Swift as Freida
• Garrett C. Phillips as Server
• Adrienne Rose White as Sally
• Michaela Baham as Young Mother
• Kerry O'Malley as Mother's Mother
• Roslyn Gentle as Nana
• Michael Andrew Baker as Man in Market

Is There a Trailer for Nightbitch?

The trailer for Nightbitch introduces Amy Adams as a stay-at-home mom confronting motherhood's challenges and an unsettling transformation. It captures her losing touch with her identity and noticing eerie changes like sharp teeth and heightened hunger. The surreal moments are offset by humor, such as her odd claim, “I could crush a walnut with my vagina.”

Set to Miley Cyrus's Midnight Sky, the trailer ends with Adams embracing her dual nature, declaring, “I am a woman. I am an animal. I am Nightbitch,” leaving viewers intrigued about her transformation’s reality.

Filming Details 

Production on Nightbitch was set to begin in September 2022 but it ultimately began in October 2022 in Los Angeles. Filming wrapped in early 2023. 

Behind the Scenes

Marielle Heller, celebrated for her work on A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, directs Nightbitch and also serves as its writer. 

The production team is stacked with talent, including Amy Adams and Stacy O’Neil producing under Bond Group, with Heller representing Defiant By Nature and Anne Carey from Archer Gray also contributing. Christina Oh (Minari) and Sue Naegle (Shirley) joined as producers, while Megan Ellison, Sammy Scher, Havilah Brewster, and Adam Paulsen acted as executive producers.

The film’s development started when Bond Group and Annapurna Pictures secured the rights to Rachel Yoder’s novel. Heller collaborated with them to adapt the script, which attracted Searchlight Pictures to acquire global distribution rights in 2022 for over $25 million. Yoder, the novel's author, was actively involved as both a writer and executive producer, ensuring the adaptation retains the novel's unique, eerie tone.